14. Salem
FOURTEEN
SALEM
“Your food is incredible. I guess culinary school worked out?”
Wren nods, leaning back in his chair and resting his foot on his opposite knee. “It’s been a wild ride the last six years. This is a pretty exciting opportunity. I could make my mark here.”
“Totally.”
“How’d you end up here?”
“Fucking layoff. I finally hit the wall too. No more corporate climbing. I came back here to collect myself and this place showed up. They hired me as their inventory specialist. So far I order shit to get the place up and running.”
“Are they cool guys?”
“The best. Really chill, even though they all have different personalities. It was Indy’s brain child, so he’s kind of the leader, but they equally own it.”
“Indy is fire.”
“Don’t I know it. They’re all pretty hot though.”
“True.” He glances over his shoulder to catch Ridley watching him. Ridley startles, looking away quickly. “What’s his name again?”
“Ridley. He’s hilarious. Are you still with Trent?”
Wren nods, but his smile fades. “At least for now. It’s been a little bumpy lately. He got a promotion last year that he has to travel for. He’s only home four days a month.”
“Holy shit, dude. That must be tough.”
“It is.” He glances down the hall before continuing. “I’m not sure he’s being faithful, but I don’t have proof. It’s just a vibe because of how he’s acting.”
“Sorry to hear that. I know firsthand how much being cheated on sucks.”
He runs a hand through his messy ginger-red locks. “One of these days, I guess I’ll cut my losses, but we’ve been together so long, it’s a lot to think about.”
I rub his arm. “You’ll figure it out. Do you live far from here?”
“Nah. About fifteen minutes. Do you think I have a shot?”
“Hell yeah. Your food alone was way better and more creative than Teddy’s.”
“His mac and cheese was good.”
“It was fine. You seem more prepared and had a broader vision, whereas Teddy kind of kept it to bar food. Which is okay, honestly. I don’t think the guys knew exactly what they wanted until they were presented with it.”
“I hope they liked it. I need a change of pace. I’m tired of being treated like a peon when I’ve worked my ass off to get to sous chef in just four years.”
“I’ll put in a good word for you, but I think your food represents you well.”
“Thanks, man.”
A minute later, Teddy, Kit, and Indy return. Teddy says goodbye to all of us and gathers his dishes while Kit and Indy lead Wren to the back.
“How did it go?” Lowen asks Teddy.
“I appreciate the opportunity, but it’s not gonna work out,” Teddy explains.
“Oh?”
“I got showed up big time.” He chuckles. “No hard feelings, and I learned what I should work on in my next interview.” He shakes Lowen’s hand. “I hope the place is a huge hit. I’ll be here for sure.”
“Thank you,” Lowen says.
We watch him walk out and Lowen sits with me. “That was interesting. He came in with his chest puffed and left with his tail between his legs.”
“I guess he’s self-aware. Wren came to win.”
“He did. Even the salad was delicious.”
“It was.”
“You know him?”
“We worked together a while back before he quit to finish culinary school. He’s a good guy. I think he’d fit in with everyone.”
“If we can keep Ridley from tripping over his tongue.”
“I noticed.”
“He’s got a weakness for gingers. He usually likes his men to be more bear than twink, but I think he’ll make an exception for a red-haired beauty.”
“Wren has a man, at least for now, but it sounds like it might be coming to an end soon.”
“Don’t tell Ridley that. He’ll speed up the timeline.”
I chuckle. “I’m no matchmaker. Every man for himself.”
“Same.” Lowen stacks the dirty plates. “Productive day. I suppose we can meet with Wren once it’s official and get the kitchen stocked.”
“Exciting stuff.”
A few minutes later, the three men join us again. Wren is smiling, his cheeks flushed pink.
“Hey, guys,” Indy says, getting everyone’s attention. “I’d like to introduce the new executive chef of Moby’s Bar and Dining.”
We all clap, and Wren’s cheeks seem to burn even hotter.
“Thanks, everyone,” he says.
Indy walks him out, explaining logistics while I gather up my paperwork to get back to the computer and enter in all the details of our shopping trip. I scoot my chair back and run into a rock-hard wall of man.
When I stand and face him, he’s towering over me, his eyes filled with heat and desire.
“Can I help you, boss?”
He chuckles, looping his finger through my belt loop. “Office.”
“Yes, sir.”
I walk down the hall, highly aware of his looming presence behind me. Once inside the office, he shuts the door and closes in on me, walking me back until I hit the desk. He puts his arms on either side of me, balanced on the desk as his breath warms my face.
My cock swells and my breath hitches from his proximity. Reaching up, I brush my fingers over his cheek, biting into my bottom lip.
“You wanted to see me?”
He nods, pressing his cock into my body. “If I don’t kiss you right now, I’m gonna lose it.”
“What’s gotten into you, handsome?”
Indy wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me impossibly closer. Taking the hint, I wrap my legs around his waist, trusting him to support my weight. He takes the unspoken invite and claims my mouth in a deep, heated kiss.
As our tongues tangle and our bodies rub together, he slides his hand down the back of my jeans, squeezing my ass and tugging at my thong. He moans and nips at my bottom lip, grinding his hard cock into me.
“Let me suck you,” I whisper.
“Nooo,” he moans. “Later. Save it all for me.”
“Edging? Really?”
Indy chuckles, and the sound vibrates through me, given our proximity. “Not intentionally. You deserve better than a dusty office. Want to get out of here early today?”
“You’re the boss.”
A slow, sexy smirk spreads across his lips. “Then let’s go.”